East Austin Enterprises

In the Fall of 1984, I led some of the Independent operators at Harlem Cab and we agreed to start our own cab company. Austin Cab was supposed to be a Cooperative. but unbeknowingst to me, several people in our group (a certain family whose last name starts with a "C") had secretly asked the Black City Councilman, Dr. Charles Urdy to give them 75 permits for their own company, which they named Capitol Cab, and to also in the process, STALL giving my group any. Remember, they were also in my group attending meetings, as if they were with us.

This action gave them an opportunity to secure all the drivers from Harlem Cab and leave my group with none. It would have worked too, had we not had the wherewithall to buy Harlem Cab from Mr. Liveoak. It wasn't free either.

I was surprised that it went down that way, and there is a personal rift that has not healed between that family and myself ever since. I don't have to name them. They know who they are and if you don't know who they are, it will be easy to find the information at the City Clerk's Office or Urban Transportation Department. Simply ask Morris Poe.

My chagrin is personal, and has no play into business. I like to keep my grudges separate and take the "High Road" which is why when their back-stabbing enterprise failed about a year later, I welcomed them back to Harlem Cab Company with open arms. They knew I was angry but I wanted them and the world to know that Ron Means business, not personal. They were good drivers, never got complaints or had wrecks, and paid well, so there was no reason to say "No."

Reflecting the deflectionism, it is forever amazing how some people are. They treat you wrong, lie to you and lie on you and then instead of doing them the way they have done you, you look over their faults and they hate you all the more. Your generosity and forgiving attitude is often perceived by these types of people as arrogance... or ignorance.

I find that their ingratitude is amazing. Simply amazing.